Open weekend set for snowmobiles across Northern New England

Snowmobile enthusiasts will have a chance to explore some new territory the weekend of Jan. 25-27 during the New Hampshire-Vermont-Maine reciprocal snowmobile weekend.

In addition to a law that passed in 2010 for a Vermont/New Hampshire reciprocity weekend, another new law passed in 2011 includes Maine in the three-day weekend.

Mark Beauchesne, spokesman for the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, said there is also talk that next year, the province of Quebec will also join in, but details are still to be worked out.

The reciprocal weekend will occur annually on the fourth weekend in January (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) provided that neighboring states continue to participate, he said.

Following are the ground rules for the weekend:

-- All snowmobiles legally registered in Vermont and Maine will be able to operate on New Hampshire trails during the three-day open weekend. All other New Hampshire laws and rules regarding the operation of snowmobiles must be adhered to, such as speed limits, youth operation standards, etc.

-- All snowmobiles legally registered in New Hampshire will be able to operate in Vermont and Maine during the reciprocal weekend. All other Vermont and Maine snowmobile laws and rules must be complied with, including Vermont's mandatory liability insurance, safety education certification (if born after July 1, 1983), and youth operation requirements.